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Chapter23
The load of bricks on Avery’s shoulders fell away. She cut a glance at Wes, who seemed to be enjoying his beef brisket, and hoped she wasn’t taking advantage of this kind soul. But he didn’t seem to mind staying. And she really did need his help.
She wiped her mouth and set the napkin in her plate. The relief at having the renovation completed—or almost completed—by the time Dr.Chan arrived loosened the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders.
But searching deeper, she couldn’t deny a secondary reason for her relief: She didn’t have to say good-bye to Wes yet. She had at least a few more days with him.
She took in the now-familiar angles and planes of his face. He was pretty to look at, no doubt, but he was even more attractive on the inside. A man who put aside his plans to help another was a man who could be counted on. A man who spent months on the trail to honor a friend was a man to be admired.
He finished his last bite and leaned back in the booth. “How could you let me eat that much?”
“I wasn’t the one who ordered double meat. Besides”—her gaze drifted over his torso—“something tells me you’ll work it off.”
“That doesn’t make my stomach any less full.” He glanced at the poolroom. “I wonder if Stewie’s here. I could try and get him to come a couple days early so we could get the plumbingandthe framing inspected Friday. That would expedite things.”
“We need the plumbing inspected before the tub and stuff are installed?”
“Exactly. I don’t see Stewie back there, but I’ll call him in the morning.” As he tossed his napkin on his plate his focus caught on something behind her. “Your brother’s here.”
“Which one?” She glanced over her shoulder. “Oh, Coop comes in all the time. He likes to hang out with the townsfolk—I guess it helps in his line of work.”
“How long’s he been sheriff? Seems kind of young for the position.” He lifted a brow at her. “Then again that appears to be a family trait.”
“It was something he’d always wanted. I’m really proud of him for working so hard to get there.” She thought of the scandal that almost stole the election. “It wasn’t an easy campaign.”
“I’ll bet. But he seems to be well liked.”
“He’s a great guy. I’m definitely blessed in the family department.”
“They seem very supportive. Though I admit Gavin’s a bit of an enigma, at least to me.”
“He’s been through a lot. He was divorced a couple years agoand—” She should leave out the part where he’d lost his son. He was so private about that. “Well, he’s been a little adrift ever since.”
“Then he lost his girl to his brother? Ouch. I guess that’s how a general contractor ends up running a campground.”
“He wasn’t just any old contractor either—he was the head GC for the biggest residential builder in Asheville. Very successful. He moved back home after the divorce and took the first job he was offered.”
“Quite a step down.”
“He needed to decompress. He needed his family and friends.” They’d circled the tents around Gavin—the Robinsons and his best friend Mike—but it was Katie who’d finally pulled him from his depression. Then he’d lost her too. He seemed to have rebounded from that pretty well though.
“Does he have any plans to build homes again?”
“I hope so. Nothing would make the family happier.” But that job might also call him back to Asheville or another town that offered more opportunity.
“How about a game of pool?” Wes asked.
She made a face. “You don’t know what you’re asking. I’m really bad at pool.”
His lips lifted into a smile and he winked. “Maybe you just haven’t had the right teacher.”
Five minutes later Wes had shown her how to choose a straight stick by looking down the cue from butt to tip. Once she had a good cue, he broke the balls and sank a solid.
He missed the next shot. “Let’s see whatcha got, Doc.”
Avery bent over the pool table, positioning her hand on the table the way Cooper had instructed her way back when. Sheaimed the pool stick at a stripe near the corner pocket. “Is this right? It’s been a while.”
“Let’s talk about your stance.” Wes approached from behind. He tapped her back foot with his toe. “Move this foot back a bit. Good. Now, when you bend over, keep your knees nice and relaxed. That’s it. Move your bridge a little closer to the cue ball—you’ll have more control. Lower it a little. You want to hit the ball right in the center. Perfect. Now move the cue back and forth for a little practice.”
